Imperial Taste

- 221-42 Horace Harding Expy, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364

Introduction / Overview

For residents of Oakland Gardens and the surrounding neighborhoods in Queens, New York, Imperial Taste is a well-established and highly regarded destination for classic, high-quality Chinese American cuisine. This local Chinese restaurant has built a reputation not just on its longevity—with many loyal customers noting they have been coming here for a decade or more—but on the consistent delivery of comforting, satisfying, and flavorful dishes. Imperial Taste embodies the quintessential neighborhood Chinese spot: reliable, quick, and focused on the dishes New Yorkers crave.

While the menu features a broad spectrum of choices, the essence of Imperial Taste is its commitment to flavor consistency, even following a recent management change where the culinary team was fortunately retained. This dedication ensures that decades-old favorites, from the perfectly 'saucy' Chicken and Broccoli to the highly-praised Fried Rice, continue to taste exactly as local patrons remember. The atmosphere is notably casual, making it an inviting place for a quick bite during lunch, a convenient dinner pickup, or a late-night meal. Its popularity extends beyond the immediate area, drawing a diverse crowd including local families, professionals, and college students looking for dependable, delicious comfort food at competitive New York prices.

Imperial Taste proudly serves as both a takeout and delivery powerhouse, perfectly catering to the fast-paced life of the New York region. With a comprehensive menu that hits all the beloved categories—from savory beef and seafood combinations to classic pork and poultry dishes—this Queens eatery is the reliable answer to the perpetual question, "Where should we get Chinese food tonight?"

Location and Accessibility

Imperial Taste is conveniently situated at 221-42 Horace Harding Expy, placing it right in the heart of the bustling Oakland Gardens section of Queens, NY 11364. Its location on the Horace Harding Expressway, also known locally as the Long Island Expressway (LIE) Service Road, offers excellent vehicular access for those driving in the New York Metropolitan area.

Accessibility is one of the distinct advantages of this establishment. For drivers, the restaurant provides a Free Parking Lot, a highly valuable amenity in this part of Queens, alleviating the stress of finding a spot that often accompanies dining out in NYC. Additionally, there is paid street parking nearby for flexibility. The facility itself is designed with ease of access in mind, featuring a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, ensuring that all members of the community can patronize the business. For customers relying on public transit or walking, the location is well-integrated into the Oakland Gardens street network. However, given its primary focus on takeout and delivery, the convenience of phoning in an order or using a delivery app is what truly makes Imperial Taste accessible to the wider New York community, from Bayside to Flushing and beyond.

Services Offered

• Delivery Service: Specializes as a Delivery Restaurant, providing fast and reliable delivery of hot, fresh Chinese cuisine across a wide service radius in Queens, accommodating both dinner and late-night cravings.
• Takeout Service: Offers efficient Takeout service, where customers can place their orders by phone or in-person for quick pickup, a popular option for busy local residents.
• Lunch and Dinner Dining: Provides both Lunch and Dinner options for dine-in customers, with a casual atmosphere that is perfect for solo dining or quick, informal gatherings.
• Full Chinese-American Menu: Features a comprehensive menu that includes classic favorites from every category: House Special Deluxe items, Beef, Chicken, Pork, and Seafood dishes, catering to all tastes.
• Late-Night Food: Known for offering late-night food options, serving customers who need a quick and satisfying meal outside of typical dinner hours.
• Free Parking Lot: Offers the rare convenience of a Free Parking Lot for patrons who choose to pick up their orders, alongside options for paid street parking.

Features / Highlights

• Exceptional Flavor Consistency: A major highlight cited by longtime patrons is the reliable, consistent flavor profile of the food, especially following a change in ownership, thanks to retaining the experienced kitchen staff.
• Signature Comfort Food: Excels at quintessential Chinese comfort food dishes, including extremely popular items like the very saucy Chicken and Broccoli, the classic Fried Rice, and the must-have Fried Chicken Wings.
• Diverse House Special Menu: Offers an array of special dishes such as General Tso's Chicken, Beef with Orange Flavor, Seafood Combination, and Hunan Triple Delight, providing excellent value and variety for a special meal.
• Affordable Pricing: The restaurant is noted for its value, offering substantial portions with many individual orders and a drink coming in at under $15, making it highly attractive to students and budget-conscious New Yorkers.
• Customer Favorite Dishes: Boasts several "must-have" dishes recommended by long-term customers, including Fried Chicken Wings with Pork Fried Rice, Chicken with Garlic Sauce, and the flavorful Singapore Rice Noodles.
• Accessibility and Convenience: Provides a casual, welcoming atmosphere with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and convenient parking options, making it stress-free for all patrons in the dense Queens environment.

Contact Information

Address: 221-42 Horace Harding Expy, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364, USA

Phone: (718) 279-8174

What is Worth Choosing

For any New Yorker making their first stop at Imperial Taste, the ultimate 'worth choosing' experience lies in a combination of their most celebrated and consistent comfort items. The absolute must-have is the Fried Chicken Wings with Pork Fried Rice. Customers consistently rave about the huge, crispy chicken wings and the perfectly seasoned rice, establishing this combo as a local legend and an unparalleled benchmark for the dish in Queens. This order is a true testament to the kitchen's mastery of the basics.

Following that, you cannot go wrong with one of their famous sauced chicken options. We highly recommend either the General Tso's Chicken or the Chicken with Garlic Sauce. The General Tso's is a staple for a reason, noted for its perfect balance of crispiness and flavor, while the Chicken with Garlic Sauce is an acknowledged standout for its rich, aromatic, and savory profile—often praised for being "very saucy," which is ideal for pairing with their lauded Fried Rice.

Finally, for those looking for an excellent noodle dish, the Singapore Rice Noodles are consistently recommended by long-time patrons as a flavorful and satisfying alternative to the standard Lo Mein. Choosing any of these dishes ensures you are experiencing the authentic, long-standing taste and quality that has kept Imperial Taste a beloved Queens favorite for years. The exceptional value and the late-night availability further cement these choices as a perfect, easy, and delightful indulgence for any time of day.

Imperial Taste

221-42 Horace Harding Expy, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364, USA